Tuesday Tips March 29, 2016

TECH TIP:  QR Code Generators

Valerie Zantay asked last week about how to make QR codes for a project she was working on.  These can be a great way to direct students to information and websites by using their phones.  Most students have a QR reader installed on their phones, and with that reader, they scan the QR code and it takes them directly to the website.  You could also do a scavenger hunt of these, all going to different sources.  Here are two quick ways to make QR codes.  

I like to use goo.gl, a built in service of your Google account.  Copy in the link, then click on Details and you get a QR code and a shortened URL.  I like to use this one because it keeps statistics on how many clicks you've had.  

QR Code Generator is a site that allows you to add in text, a URL, or even contact information and then the QR code is automatically created.  

BOOK TIP:  When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

This is an amazing memoir.  Paul Kalanithi was an accomplished neurosurgeon, just finishing residency when he learns he has lung cancer.  The doctor is now a patient and learning how to find value in the life he has left.  Deftly and poetically written, a story on how to die with dignity.  Have tissues ready.  

Tuesday Tips March 23, 2016

TECH TIP:  Athenir Search Engine

I worked with Tara Birkett's Non-Fiction class this week on their research papers, and we used Athenir during the initial phase of research when they were developing their topics and seeking out keywords and possible avenues to explore.  Athenir is a new visual search engine.  As you can see from the screenshot, you put in your topic, then on the left is a very cool visual depiction of possible categories for your search topic.  On the right are some top websites.  You can also just select "News" and it will give you the top news stories related to your search topic.  If you double click on one of the color break downs on the left, it brings you deeper into that category and other possible keywords and topics to explore.  Athenir is a great tool for students to use during this first phase of research.
BOOK TIP:  Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

This is book two of The Grisha Trilogy.  The series follows, Alina, a young woman who discovers she is the Sun Summoner, a position of power and strength in her homeland of Ravka.  But in order to maintain power, she must fight the Darkling.  A suspenseful story with lots of action to keep you turning pages.

Tuesday Tips March 15, 2016

TECH TIP:  PrintFriendly Extension

In light of the recent survey on paper usage  here at Monument,PrintFriendly is an easy way to save paper, ink and to focus the students  on the material you want.  PrintFriendly is a Chrome extension and Bookmarklet that allows you to make printer friendly print outs of websites.  When you have a website that you want to print out, you click the extension and it automatically deletes out the ads and banners.  You can then also remove any images you don't want and select blocks of text to remove.  This allows you to customize the information for your students.  

BOOK TIP:  Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

This book is a delight.  A quick read that will make you smile.  Willowdean, or Dumplin' as her mama calls her, is a big girl.  Her size doesn't fit in with this Texas town that is crazy about it Miss Blue Bonnet contest.  A contest Willowdean's mom won and now runs.  Willowdean decides to enter the contest and take back confidence in herself.  Heartwarming!

Tuesday Tips March 8, 2016

TECH TIP:  Radioooo World Music 

Radiooooo is a neat site for world music by decade and genre.  You select a country, then the decade you want. from the "Taxi Stand" you pick the speed of song: slow, medium, and fast.  You can build a Playlist of songs by liking songs or buying them.  The site is in beta, so not all countries are represented, but the database is growing fast.  This could be great to include in cultural or historical studies, or just for background music in your classroom.  

Thanks to Larry Ferlazzo for this tip.

BOOK TIP:  When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

There is an old saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover."  But this is a book that is being heavily judged by its cover.  Several libraries are being asked to remove the book from its shelves because of the gun on the cover.  However, if you read the book, the gun plays a small role and violence is not espoused.  It is the story of Ali, who lives in Brooklyn with his sister and single mother.  He gets into a bit of heat at a party while trying to protect his friend.  It is a book about friendship, family and loyalty.  Give it a read - especially before judging the cover. 

Tuesday Tips March 1, 2016

TECH TIP:  KnowMe Video Recording App

This is another way to leverage the device that nearly all our students have: use their phones to create quick videos.  The KnowMe App is a free appthat allows users to make a video using still images or video clips already on their phone.  This is not complicated video editing software, you just hold down a button to add audio narration, swipe a few things around to get the images you want in the right order and you're done!  The final videos are short, which might be perfect for a class assignment.   Videos can't get be uploaded to YouTube, but a link to it can be emailed.   

Shout out to TechCrunch for this idea.

BOOK TIP:  Charles Lindbergh Books

It was on March 1, 1932, that Charles Lindbergh's young son was kidnapped, a crime and subsequent trial that captured the nation.  In honor of that, two books related to Charles Lindbergh.

The Spirit of St. Louis by Charles A. Lindbergh is Lindbergh's own accounting of his record breaking trip across the Atlantic in his solo plane.  He won the Pulitzer Prize for this novel.  

The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin.  I think I may have done this book as a tip before, but it is such a good book!  It s the fictional account of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, the wife of Charles Lindbergh.  An insightful look at being married to the huge celebrity Charles Lindbergh, the loss of her son in such a public kidnapping, and her husband's connection to Nazism.